Imagine a world where Olympic athletes have to do more than just worry about personal bests, split times, or gold medals—they now have to keep an eye on their blood sugar levels, courtesy of Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs). These devices, initially designed to help diabetes patients manage their glucose levels, could be the next gadget in the Olympic Village—right alongside energy gels and compression socks.

Olympians have recently started using CGMs to try to optimize their athletic performance. These devices, primarily intended for those with diabetes, have caught the attention of athletes and wellness enthusiasts alike. Companies like Abbott and Dexcom see CGMs as a golden opportunity to expand their markets, because why not add another layer of complexity to high-stakes competition?

The Paris Olympics, kicking off on July 26, will serve as an opportunity to showcase CGM technology, despite there being no definitive proof that it can boost athletic performance. But hey, if you can’t win with talent alone, why not throw some advanced glucose monitoring into the mix?

Next-Gen Gold Mining: CGM Tech Edition

Dexcom has been making waves with its Stelo device, which became the first CGM approved in the U.S. for purchase without a prescription. The device is set to launch this summer, just in time for the Paris games. Meanwhile, Abbott, always the trailblazer, introduced a CGM product for athletes in Europe back in 2020 and has sponsored Kenyan marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge and his team since 2021. Perhaps glucose is the secret ingredient to those blistering marathon times.

Take Dutch marathon runner Abdi Nageeye, who snagged silver at the Tokyo Olympics. Nageeye uses CGMs to monitor his blood glucose as an indicator of energy levels. His team’s sponsorship by Abbott since April 2021 only cements the idea that glucose monitoring is the new frontier in athletic performance—or at least, a well-sponsored gimmick.

The Science Behind the Sweetness

Despite the hype, there's little validated science on how to truly optimize an athlete's routines using CGMs. Researchers and sports nutrition scientists, ever the optimists, believe that further understanding will be gained in the next five years. By 2028, we might just figure out the perfect glucose level for a flawless triple axle.

Australian swimmer Chelsea Hodges used CGMs to remedy her bouts of exhaustion and dizziness during training, only to end her career due to hip problems. Well, at least her glucose levels were probably on point during those challenging sessions.

Glucose Giants: The Market Implications

Abbott’s FreeStyle Libre remains the most common CGM, with a 23% sales increase to $5.3 billion in 2023. Dexcom isn’t far behind, with revenue growing 24% to $3.6 billion. If this growth continues, the lifestyle CGM market could grow nearly 15% annually to reach $9.9 billion by 2031. This impressive number is driven in part by users of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy. Because who needs a balanced diet when you have high-tech glucose monitoring?

The overall CGM market, including for diabetic use, is projected to grow 9-10% annually over the next five years. Athletes and sports dietitians have been analyzing CGM data to better understand training intensity and energy use, turning every workout into a mini science experiment.

Skepticism & Sweetness

Yet, skepticism remains. The idea of non-diabetic consumers using CGMs for health and fitness without professional advice is both intriguing and slightly terrifying. It's an era where athletes are hacking their glucose levels in the quest for greatness, and everyone else is just trying to figure out if they can justify the expense on their health insurance.

In conclusion, whether CGMs will revolutionize athletic performance or simply add another level of complexity to an already intricate world remains to be seen. One thing is for sure, though: in the Olympics of glucose monitoring, everyone’s a winner—especially Abbott and Dexcom shareholders.

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